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cluckieduck's reviews
295 reviews
Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Ohhh boy, seems I'm in the minority with this holiday romp, but I found it completely cringe-worthy. Everything from the dialogue, to the plot, to sex just...no. And the pages upon pages of inner monologue minus any fulsome introspection?? I really started skimming ~50% because it was just became the same old, same old.
I know that, as romance readers, we need to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the fantasy of HEAs but this relationship is toxic AF. You're gonna tell me that a self-described player who enjoys his women 'young, blonde, and soft' will change his spots with a woman who's been unceremoniously dumped after being trapped in a 4-year abusive relationship and it's gonna work out?? While I enjoyed the age-gap, Damien and his magic peen were too perfect. If Damien says it's ok, Abbie believes it's ok. Damien says 'yes', Abbie says 'oh.' The number of first time experiences for Abbie because 'guys don't do that' or 'guys don't like that,' but in swaggers 'Mr. Man' Damien to show her how a 'real man' behaves...my eyes could not have rolled further back.
Anyways, I didn't connect with either MC or any side character and found the story fairly lacklustre. The perfect holiday read it was not.
I know that, as romance readers, we need to suspend our disbelief and enjoy the fantasy of HEAs but this relationship is toxic AF. You're gonna tell me that a self-described player who enjoys his women 'young, blonde, and soft' will change his spots with a woman who's been unceremoniously dumped after being trapped in a 4-year abusive relationship and it's gonna work out?? While I enjoyed the age-gap, Damien and his magic peen were too perfect. If Damien says it's ok, Abbie believes it's ok. Damien says 'yes', Abbie says 'oh.' The number of first time experiences for Abbie because 'guys don't do that' or 'guys don't like that,' but in swaggers 'Mr. Man' Damien to show her how a 'real man' behaves...my eyes could not have rolled further back.
Anyways, I didn't connect with either MC or any side character and found the story fairly lacklustre. The perfect holiday read it was not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming and Infidelity
Davo by N.R. Walker
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
I love a good found family and this was such a deliciously sweet one. Davo, Fergus, and the entire mining community were a lovely bunch of characters to read about. I wish it wasn't a novella - I think it would have benefit from a bit more fleshing out of some backstories and the general connection Davo & Fergus have beyond their instalove chemistry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Crucible of Fate by Mary Calmes
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I should have stopped after book 3, but I was intrigued about the change of narrative to Domin’s story.
Unfortunately, it’s the same rinse & repeat storylines - characters not sure of who really loves them and who they can trust, making poor life decisions, info-dumps of new (unnecessary) information this far into a series, sexual violence as a threat abounds.
Even though I’ve made it through 4/5 books, I’ll be stopping here because it’s just not that enjoyable a series and I don’t care how it ends.
Unfortunately, it’s the same rinse & repeat storylines - characters not sure of who really loves them and who they can trust, making poor life decisions, info-dumps of new (unnecessary) information this far into a series, sexual violence as a threat abounds.
Even though I’ve made it through 4/5 books, I’ll be stopping here because it’s just not that enjoyable a series and I don’t care how it ends.
Honored Vow by Mary Calmes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
While I can say that this is my favourite of the series, that’s not a glowing endorsement. This series is an absolute mess and I’m so disappointed because the groundwork really has the potential to be something great and it’s just…not.
The plot surrounding the trials was interesting, but again we get a massive, convoluted info-dump of Semel & the werepanthers that inhabit the sacred city.
Unfortunately, Jin turns even more TSTL this time around and there’s a lot of unnecessary trauma thrown into the mix for the sake of “plot.”
The plot surrounding the trials was interesting, but again we get a massive, convoluted info-dump of Semel & the werepanthers that inhabit the sacred city.
Unfortunately, Jin turns even more TSTL this time around and there’s a lot of unnecessary trauma thrown into the mix for the sake of “plot.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
What Could Have Been by Heather Guerre
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a lovely, little small-town holiday romance.
The tension and pining of the second chance between Ashlyn & Noah was really well done. They have great banter once the walls start coming down, and their growth as they realize their past misconceptions was quite heart-breaking. The romance is slow burn, but once it burns, boy does it burn hot - something Heather Guerre always writes on point!
A bit rushed by the end with a few loose threads that could have used some tidying up, but a great start to a new series that I can't wait to read more of!
The tension and pining of the second chance between Ashlyn & Noah was really well done. They have great banter once the walls start coming down, and their growth as they realize their past misconceptions was quite heart-breaking. The romance is slow burn, but once it burns, boy does it burn hot - something Heather Guerre always writes on point!
A bit rushed by the end with a few loose threads that could have used some tidying up, but a great start to a new series that I can't wait to read more of!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Drug use, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Trusted Bond by Mary Calmes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Well, the best I can say is that it was an improvement over book 1, but the story is so convoluted and haphazard it’s a struggle to get through. There is just enough that I feel invested to continue with the next one, though it’s bordering on hate-reading. Also found the editing of this one was t completely thorough - there were a lot of run on sentences and odd formatting that blended conversations, so it was hard to follow who was speaking when.
Very happy to report that the blurb outline isn’t really accurate, in that the plot (thankfully) does not spend much time centred on Jin not being able to get past Logan being straight before they met. I felt their time together was more involved and grounded than book 1’s representation of caveman-Logan. There’s still that element of “Mine” but with a smattering of depth.
Could have done with fewer TW:almost rapes - that certainly seems to be a familiar situation she likes to place Jin in and it’s such a needless plot point to get some “drama”.
Interested to see if the writing improves with book 3.
Very happy to report that the blurb outline isn’t really accurate, in that the plot (thankfully) does not spend much time centred on Jin not being able to get past Logan being straight before they met. I felt their time together was more involved and grounded than book 1’s representation of caveman-Logan. There’s still that element of “Mine” but with a smattering of depth.
Could have done with fewer TW:
Interested to see if the writing improves with book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, and Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Vomit
Change of Heart by Mary Calmes
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Oh boy, talk about disappointment!
The outline has the potential to tick all the boxes of my favourite things to read- shifters, fated mates, hurt/comfort, etc. but the execution was severely lacking. It almost seems like something half-finished, the outline written on a cocktail napkin late one night then come next morning, everything was thrown at the wall to see what could stick. Plot holes galore, too much telling & not enough showing, repetition, repetition, repetition. Pseudo-mythology that gets thrown in just for the fun of it without any expansion on the how's & why's. And, most upsettingly, quite overt misogyny & sexism.
But my biggest gripe - you know that debate about whether women authors can successfully write M/M romance? Well, if this was your first introduction the answer would be a resounding 'No.' Seriously, I feel like the author has some really odd perception on how a relationship between two men should go, because the way it's represented here is all kinds of wrong. Logan's introduction was promising - a bit of a himbo who just wants to lead a successful clan. But once he meets Jin, his brain turns off and the caveman emerges. All he can think is 'mine' and Jin basically just becomes a hole that needs to be filled at any and all times. I found their sex very much in dubcon territory. There was no romance to it, just 'you are my reah, we're going to bang now and I'll shove it in to the hilt without any prep.' Eww.
I was really looking forward to starting this series, and while my comments on book 1 won't prevent me from starting book 2, there will have to be some major improvements for me to see the whole series through.
The outline has the potential to tick all the boxes of my favourite things to read- shifters, fated mates, hurt/comfort, etc. but the execution was severely lacking. It almost seems like something half-finished, the outline written on a cocktail napkin late one night then come next morning, everything was thrown at the wall to see what could stick. Plot holes galore, too much telling & not enough showing, repetition, repetition, repetition. Pseudo-mythology that gets thrown in just for the fun of it without any expansion on the how's & why's. And, most upsettingly, quite overt misogyny & sexism.
But my biggest gripe - you know that debate about whether women authors can successfully write M/M romance? Well, if this was your first introduction the answer would be a resounding 'No.' Seriously, I feel like the author has some really odd perception on how a relationship between two men should go, because the way it's represented here is all kinds of wrong. Logan's introduction was promising - a bit of a himbo who just wants to lead a successful clan. But once he meets Jin, his brain turns off and the caveman emerges. All he can think is 'mine' and Jin basically just becomes a hole that needs to be filled at any and all times. I found their sex very much in dubcon territory. There was no romance to it, just 'you are my reah, we're going to bang now and I'll shove it in to the hilt without any prep.' Eww.
I was really looking forward to starting this series, and while my comments on book 1 won't prevent me from starting book 2, there will have to be some major improvements for me to see the whole series through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Infidelity, Rape, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Just a Little Temptation by Merry Farmer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
While it's been over a year since I read book 1 Just a Little Wickedness), everything I remember enjoying fell flat with this entry. I've got a wider swath of romantic reads under my belt now to compare it to now and this one is just...not good (I suspect as well that if I were to reread book 1, I'd have similar thoughts).
The writing is bland, the instalove dry, the dialogue cringy, and the overall historical setting/kidnapping plot has zero consistency. I've picked up other entries in the series as they pop up for free, but I don't think I'll be revisiting.
The writing is bland, the instalove dry, the dialogue cringy, and the overall historical setting/kidnapping plot has zero consistency. I've picked up other entries in the series as they pop up for free, but I don't think I'll be revisiting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Religious bigotry
How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 6 by A.J. Sherwood
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A fitting end to the tale of our white knight and his black sorcerer!
I’ve greatly enjoyed reading these stories of Devan and Tan’s adventures. This time, Princess Serenity finally gets her comeuppance in spectacular fashion and while the overall arc ends rather predictably, these are the light, fluffy balm that your soul just needs sometimes.
Come for the cuddles and stay for the bonks 😉
I’ve greatly enjoyed reading these stories of Devan and Tan’s adventures. This time, Princess Serenity finally gets her comeuppance in spectacular fashion and while the overall arc ends rather predictably, these are the light, fluffy balm that your soul just needs sometimes.
Come for the cuddles and stay for the bonks 😉
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
Minor: Alcohol
How I Stole the Princess's White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy: Miracle 5 by A.J. Sherwood
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
The penultimate serial in this fun collection on the road to Tan & Devan’s HEA.
This one felt a bit rushed (I know, I know…it’s 90 odd pages, that’s almost a given, right?!) and there were a lot of editing errors. I also found the flow a bit disjointed, but I won’t fault it because on a whole, these stories are entertaining & I love Tan & Devan. I’m excited to see how it ends!
This one felt a bit rushed (I know, I know…it’s 90 odd pages, that’s almost a given, right?!) and there were a lot of editing errors. I also found the flow a bit disjointed, but I won’t fault it because on a whole, these stories are entertaining & I love Tan & Devan. I’m excited to see how it ends!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping